Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field felt the weight of a different proportioned athlete than usual during the Arkansas Tech University Youth Football Camp that began Monday and came to a close today.

Tech’s yard lines were covered with pint-sized football players, ages 6-12, from across the Arkansas River Valley between 8 a.m. to noon for each day of the camp, which according to Wonder Boys graduate assistant coach Reggie Fish was a refreshing change from the older students he typically spends time instructing.

“When college kids get here they think they already know how to play,” Fish said. “They’ve been coached quite a bit already, but these kids are fresh. Whatever you teach them, they believe it’s right, and they do it exactly how you tell them to.”

Over the couse of three days, campers were taught football fundamentals, teamwork and given a small taste of what a real football practice is like.

The campers began their day with stretches before moving through sectionals which broke down fundamentals into small, chew-able bites.

“These kids catch on so well,” Fish said. “I think we underestimate kids. They apply what they learn so quickly, we usually only have to show them a few times. It’s exciting to see how much they improve over three days.”

Many of the fundamentals are taught by ATU football players, which is exciting for the kids and a learning experience for the players. Luke Halpin, Wonder Boys senior quarterback, taught fundamentals during one of the sectionals.

“I love the excitement,” Halpin said. “Any time you have the chance to coach, it’s always a great chance to change some lives.”

Halpin should know. The senior, who transferred from West Texas A&M this year to lead the Wonder Boys, was coached by his father throughout high school.

“I want to stay around it [football],” Halpin said. “I think it’s a good thing helping out kids this young.”

ATU senior free safety Shane Jackson, who also helped run the camp, said there was a lot of competition in the Wonder Boys locker room for the limited student coaching spots.

“It was first come, first serve, with a preference for seniors,” Jackson said. “There were a lot of people who wanted to be out here who are not. It’s a really good thing to put on a resume if you’re interested in coaching and it’s great to get out here with the kids.

“Some of these kids are just awesome. Most of them mind, but the ones that don’t are challenging. I view it as good experience, whether it’s attitudes or they just don’t listen.”

Jackson said he intended to coach football after he graduated from ATU. He admitted there were challenges to overcome when coaching players so young.

“It’s hard to keep them focused,” he said. “Especially when they get tired.”

Yet, at the close of practice, when the heat became nearly unbearable to parents waiting on the sideline to pick up their children, the campers relentlessly raced up and down the field during the “Tech Ball” scrimmage that closed out every practice.

Kids who fell and cried were helped to their feet by teammates. When someone made a good catch the other boys cheered for them. When they dropped the ball it was a chorus of boys saying, “Good try.”

“We’re just here to have fun,” Fish reminded them when the boys became to frustrated.

“I just love working with these kids,” Fish said after practice was over. “They’ve got so much energy, it’s unreal. The key to coaching them is beating their attention span.”

Tech’s football camp concluded at noon today with a punt, pass and kick competition, highlight film, campus tour and more ATU football. Awards and T-shirts were given to campers before they left Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field.